Duff Pannell eager to make a difference at Ramapo

7:13 PM,
Jul. 12, 2013

Duff Pannell was named the new head football coach at Ramapo High School. Photo contributed by Duff Pannell

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Duff Pannell had grown frustrated, but not disillusioned. He knew the teachers and coaches at Ramapo High School were over-stressed, a direct reflection on the stormy culture in one of the area's most tumultuous school districts.

Instead of continuing to press for more from them, Pannell decided to assume a more active role in finding a solution, at least to what ailed an athletic department felled by defections from top athletes and crippling budget cuts.

This spring, Pannell stepped down as Ramapo's athletic coordinator and interviewed to become its next football coach. The district ...